Seven elements of resilience are identified in college students who have learning disabilities. These elements become the bases for approaches to assisting children in constructing resilience when facing such difficulties.

In 1984, the research committee of the council for learning disabilities (CLD) noted that the available descriptions of individuals with LD in research reports were vague and inconsistent. Recognizing that such descriptions made it difficult to evaluate research findings, the committee recommended that specific guidelines for participant descriptions be followed in reports on research involving individuals with LD. Eight years after this call for greater uniformity, vague participant descriptors remain a matter of great concern. What follows is a report on this issue from the current cld research committee. Updated guidelines for the description of participants are provided for both small-sample and large-group research activities. Also, suggestions for promoting compliance with the minimum standards are forwarded. Rather than being viewed as a fixed, immutable product, the current attempt at identifying the minimum standards for the description of participants should be viewed merely as one step in an ongoing process. Clearly, as our multidisciplinary field continues to learn more about LD, additional information about participants may be deemed necessary. With this in mind, the cld research committee welcomes your comments on the present set of guidelines and invites your suggestions for future iterations of this document.

Background Areca (betel) nut is considered a Group 1 human carcinogen shown to be associated with other chronic diseases in addition to cancer. This paper describes the areca (betel) nut chewing trend in Guam, and health behaviors of chewers in Guam and Saipan. Methods The areca (betel) nut module in the Guam Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey was used to calculate the 5-year (2011-2015) chewing trend. To assess the association between areca (betel) nut chewing and health risks in the Mariana Islands, a cross-section of 300 chewers, ≥ 18 years old, were recruited from households in Guam and Saipan. Self-reported sociodemographics, oral health behaviors, chronic disease status, diet, and physical activity were collected. Anthropometry was measured. Only areca (betel) nut-specific and demographic information were collected from youth chewers in the household. Results The 5-year areca (betel) nut chewing prevalence in Guam was 11% and increased among Non-Chamorros, primarily other Micronesians, from 2011 (7%) to 2015 (13%). In the household survey, most adult chewers (46%) preferred areca nut with betel leaf, slaked lime, and tobacco. Most youth chewers (48%) preferred areca nut only. Common adult chronic conditions included diabetes (14%), hypertension (26%), and obesity (58%). Conclusion The 5-year areca (betel) nut chewing prevalence in Guam is comparable to the world estimate (10-20%), though rising among Non-Chamorros. Adult and youth chewers may be at an increased risk for oral cancer. Adult chewers have an increased risk of other chronic health conditions. Cancer prevention and intervention strategies should incorporate all aspects of health.

Randall Parker discussed basic guidelines for designing and implementing research studies. He noted the importance of external validity (the degree to which research findings can be generalized); to achieve external validity, authors must describe the participants, setting, and procedures in enough detail for other researchers to replicate the study.In 1984, the Research Committee for the Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD) published guidelines for authors regarding the minimum information they should report when describing their participants. A study by Hammill and colleagues in 1989 found that, unfortunately, most research articles published in 10 major journals from 1984 through 1987 did not meet the minimum criteria suggested by Smith et al. (Hammill, Bryant, Brown, Dunn, & Marten, 1989) . Hammill et al. concluded that the majority of research published during that time did not meet the criteria for external validity.In 1992, the CLD Research Committee prepared updated guidelines for participant description. The JLD staff and consulting editors make every effort to ensure the validity of research that appears in the Journal, and we request complete information about the characteristics of participants in research studies (see Editorial Policy, January 1993); therefore we are reprinting these updated guidelines. Readers are encouraged to carefully examine the Committee's suggestions and to follow these and other principles of research validity when planning research studies and submitting manuscripts to this journal.-JLW

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